Heavy rainfall causes many Bosnians to leave flooded homes for the second time this year

DONJI HRGOVI, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Heavy rainfall is causing rivers to burst their banks, flooding houses and roads in the same areas of Bosnia that were devastated in May by the worst floods in 120 years.

Authorities declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as rescuers rushed to the central and northern parts of the country to evacuate people, many for the second time this year. Rain started Tuesday and forecast says it will continue to fall until Thursday.

In May, heavy rain in Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia swept away roads, bridges and homes, causing 51 deaths and billions in damages. The flooding affected 40 percent of Bosnia, wrecking the main agriculture industry, wiping out infrastructure and forcing almost a quarter of the population of 4 million to leave their homes.